John 3
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 3
Nicodemus.[a] 1 (A)Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.[b] 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.”(B) 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born[c] from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”(C) 5 Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.(D) 6 What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit.(E) 7 Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind[d] blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”(F) 9 Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can this happen?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? 11 Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony.(G) 12 If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?(H) 13 No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.(I) 14 And just as Moses lifted up[e] the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,(J) 15 [f]so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave[g] his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.(K) 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn[h] the world, but that the world might be saved through him.(L) 18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.(M) 19 [i]And this is the verdict,(N) that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.(O) 21 But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.(P)
Final Witness of the Baptist. 22 [j]After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing.(Q) 23 John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim,[k] because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, 24 [l](R)for John had not yet been imprisoned. 25 Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew[m] about ceremonial washings. 26 So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.”(S) 27 John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven.(T) 28 You yourselves can testify that I said [that] I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him.(U) 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man,[n] who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete.(V) 30 He must increase; I must decrease.”(W)
The One from Heaven.[o] 31 The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven [is above all].(X) 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.(Y) 33 Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.(Z) 34 For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift[p] of the Spirit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.(AA) 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.(AB)
Footnotes
- 3:1–21 Jesus instructs Nicodemus on the necessity of a new birth from above. This scene in Jerusalem at Passover exemplifies the faith engendered by signs (Jn 2:23). It continues the self-manifestation of Jesus in Jerusalem begun in Jn 2. This is the first of the Johannine discourses, shifting from dialogue to monologue (Jn 3:11–15) to reflection of the evangelist (Jn 3:16–21). The shift from singular through Jn 3:10 to plural in Jn 3:11 may reflect the early church’s controversy with the Jews.
- 3:1 A ruler of the Jews: most likely a member of the Jewish council, the Sanhedrin; see note on Mk 8:31.
- 3:3 Born: see note on Jn 1:13. From above: the Greek adverb anōthen means both “from above” and “again.” Jesus means “from above” (see Jn 3:31) but Nicodemus misunderstands it as “again.” This misunderstanding serves as a springboard for further instruction.
- 3:8 Wind: the Greek word pneuma (as well as the Hebrew rûah) means both “wind” and “spirit.” In the play on the double meaning, “wind” is primary.
- 3:14 Lifted up: in Nm 21:9, Moses simply “mounted” a serpent upon a pole. John here substitutes a verb implying glorification. Jesus, exalted to glory at his cross and resurrection, represents healing for all.
- 3:15 Eternal life: used here for the first time in John, this term stresses quality of life rather than duration.
- 3:16 Gave: as a gift in the incarnation, and also “over to death” in the crucifixion; cf. Rom 8:32.
- 3:17–19 Condemn: the Greek root means both judgment and condemnation. Jesus’ purpose is to save, but his coming provokes judgment; some condemn themselves by turning from the light.
- 3:19 Judgment is not only future but is partially realized here and now.
- 3:22–26 Jesus’ ministry in Judea is only loosely connected with Jn 2:13–3:21; cf. Jn 1:19–36. Perhaps John the Baptist’s further testimony was transposed here to give meaning to “water” in Jn 3:5. Jesus is depicted as baptizing (Jn 3:22); contrast Jn 4:2.
- 3:23 Aenon near Salim: site uncertain, either in the upper Jordan valley or in Samaria.
- 3:24 A remark probably intended to avoid objections based on a chronology like that of the synoptics (Mt 4:12; Mk 1:14).
- 3:25 A Jew: some think Jesus is meant. Many manuscripts read “Jews.”
- 3:29 The best man: literally, “the friend of the groom,” the shoshben of Jewish tradition, who arranged the wedding. Competition between him and the groom would be unthinkable.
- 3:31–36 It is uncertain whether these are words by the Baptist, Jesus, or the evangelist. They are reflections on the two preceding scenes.
- 3:34 His gift: of God or to Jesus, perhaps both. This verse echoes Jn 3:5, 8.
John 3
1599 Geneva Bible
3 1 Christ teacheth Nicodemus the very principles of Christian regeneration. 14 The serpent in the wilderness. 23 John baptizeth, 27 and teacheth his, that he is not Christ.
1 There [a]was now a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a [b]ruler of the Jews.
2 This man came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a [c]teacher come from God, for no man could do these miracles that thou doest, [d]except God were with him.
3 [e]Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot [f]see the [g]kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus said unto him, How [h]can a man be born which is old? can he enter into his mother’s womb again, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily I say unto thee, except that a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh, is [i]flesh: and that that is born of the Spirit, is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said to thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it [j]listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every man that is born of the Spirit.
9 [k]Nicodemus answered, and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered, and said unto him, Art thou a teacher of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily I say unto thee, We speak that we know, and testify that we have seen: but ye receive not our [l]witness.
12 If when I tell you earthly things, ye believe not, how should ye believe, If I shall tell you of heavenly things?
13 For no [m]man [n]ascendeth up to heaven, but he that had descended from heaven, [o]that Son of man which [p]is in heaven.
14 (A)And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must that Son of man be lifted up,
15 That whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 (B)[q]For God so loveth the world, that he hath given his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth [r]in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 (C)[s]For God sent not his Son into the world, that he should [t]condemn the world, but that the [u]world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth in him, is not condemned: but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of that only begotten Son of God.
19 (D)[v]And this is the [w]condemnation, that that light came into the world, and men loved darkness rather than that light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every man that evil doeth, hateth the light, neither cometh to light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that [x]doeth truth, cometh to the light, that his deeds might be made manifest, that they are wrought [y]according to God.
22 ¶ After these things came Jesus, and his disciples into the land of Judea, and there tarried with them, and (E)baptized.
23 And John also baptized in Aenon besides Salim, because there was much water there: and they came and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
25 [z]Then there arose a question between John’s disciples and the Jews, about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom (F)thou barest witness, behold, he baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27 John answered, and said, A man [aa]can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves are my witnesses, that (G)I said, I am not that Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride, is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly, because of the bridegroom’s voice. This my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
31 He that is come from on high, is above all: he that is of the earth, is of the [ab]earth, and [ac]speaketh of the earth: he that is come from heaven, is above all.
32 And what he hath [ad]seen and heard, that he testifieth: but [ae]no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath receiveth his testimony, hath sealed that (H)God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for God giveth him not the Spirit by measure.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath (I)[af]given all things into his hand.
36 (J)He that believeth in the Son, hath everlasting life, and he that obeyeth not the Son, shall not [ag]see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Footnotes
- John 3:1 There are none sometimes more unlearned, than the learned: but as well the learned as the unlearned must desire wisdom of Christ only.
- John 3:1 A man of great estimation, and a ruler amongst the Jews.
- John 3:2 We know that thou art sent from God to teach us.
- John 3:2 But he in whom some part of the excellency of God appeareth. And if Nicodemus had known Christ aright, he would not only have said that God was with him, but in him: as Paul doth, 2 Cor. 1:19.
- John 3:3 The beginning of Christianity consisteth in this, that we know ourselves not only to be corrupt in part, but to be wholly dead in sin: so that our nature hath need to be created anew, as touching the qualities thereof: which can be done by no other virtue, but by the divine and heavenly, whereby we were first created.
- John 3:3 That is, go in, or enter, as he expounded himself afterward, verse 5.
- John 3:3 The Church: for Christ showeth in this place, how we come to be citizens, and to have ought to do in the city of God.
- John 3:4 How can I that am old, be born again? for he answereth, as if Christ’s words belonged to none but to him.
- John 3:6 That is, fleshly, to wit, wholly unclean and under the wrath of God: and therefore this word (Flesh) signifieth the corrupt nature of man: contrary to which is the Spirit, that is, the man ingrafted into Christ through the grace of the holy Ghost, whose nature is everlasting and immortal, though the strife of the flesh remaineth.
- John 3:8 With free and wandering blasts, as it listeth.
- John 3:9 The secret mystery of our regeneration which cannot be comprehended by man’s capacity, is perceived by faith, and that in Christ only, because that he is both God on earth, and man in heaven, that is to say, in such sort man, that he is God also, and therefore almighty: and in such sort God, that he is man also, and therefore his power is manifest unto us.
- John 3:11 You handle doubtful things, and such as you have no certain author for, and yet men believe you: but I teach those things that are of a truth and well known, and you believe me not.
- John 3:13 Only Christ can teach us heavenly things for no man ascendeth, etc.
- John 3:13 That is, hath any spiritual light and understanding, or ever had, but only that Son of God, which came down to us.
- John 3:13 Whereas he is said to have come down from heaven, that must be understood of his Godhead, and of the manner of his conception: for Christ’s birth upon the earth was heavenly, and not earthly, for he was conceived by the holy Ghost.
- John 3:13 That which is proper to the divinity of Christ, is here spoken of whole Christ, to give us to understand that he is but one person, wherein two natures are united, and this kind of speech men call, the communicating of proprieties.
- John 3:16 Nothing else but the free love of the Father, is the beginning of our salvation, and Christ is he in whom our righteousness and salvation is resident: and faith is the instrument or mean whereby we apprehend it, and life everlasting is that which is set before us to apprehend.
- John 3:16 It is not all one to believe in a thing, and to believe of a thing, for we may not believe (in anything) save only in God, but we may believe (of anything) whatsoever, this saith Nazianzene in his oration of the Spirit.
- John 3:17 Not Christ, but the despising of Christ doth condemn.
- John 3:17 That is, to be the cause of the condemning of the world, for indeed sins are the cause of death, but Christ shall judge the quick and the dead.
- John 3:17 Not only the people of the Jews, but whosoever shall believe in him.
- John 3:19 Only wickedness is the cause, why men refuse the light that is offered them.
- John 3:19 That is, the cause of condemnation, which sticketh fast in men, unless through God’s great benefit they be delivered from it.
- John 3:21 That is, he that leadeth an honest life, and void of all craft and deceit.
- John 3:21 That is, with God, God as it were going before.
- John 3:25 Satan inflameth the disciples of John with a fond emulation of their master, to hinder the course of the Gospel: but John being mindful of his office, doth not only break off their endeavors, but also taketh occasion thereby to give testimony of Christ, how that in him only the Father hath set forth life everlasting.
- John 3:27 What mean you to go about to better my state? this is every man’s lot and portion that they cannot better themselves one iota.
- John 3:31 Is nothing else but man, a piece of work and of the slime of the earth.
- John 3:31 Savoreth of nothing but corruption, ignorance, dullness, etc.
- John 3:32 What he knoweth fully and perfectly.
- John 3:32 That is, very few.
- John 3:35 Committed them to his power and will.
- John 3:36 Shall not enjoy.
John 3
King James Version
3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
約翰福音 3
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
論重生
3 有一個法利賽人名叫尼哥德慕，是猶太人的官。 2 一天晚上，他來見耶穌，說：「老師，我們知道你是上帝差來教導人的，因為如果沒有上帝的同在，沒有人能行你所行的神蹟。」
3 耶穌說：「我實實在在地告訴你，人若不重生[a]，就不能看見上帝的國。」
4 尼哥德慕說：「人老了，怎能重生呢？難道要再進母腹生一次嗎？」
5 耶穌說：「我實實在在地告訴你，人如果不是從水和聖靈生的，就不能進上帝的國。 6 從肉體生的還是肉體，從聖靈生的才是靈。 7 所以我說你們必須重生，你不要驚奇。 8 風隨意吹動，你聽見它的聲音，卻不知道它從哪裡來，往哪裡去。凡從聖靈生的人也是這樣。」
9 尼哥德慕又問：「這怎麼可能呢？」
10 耶穌說：「你是以色列人的教師，還不明白這事嗎？ 11 我實實在在地告訴你，我們所說的是自己知道的，所見證的是自己見過的，可是你們不肯接受我們的見證。 12 我對你們說地上的事，你們尚且不信，要是說天上的事，你們怎麼會信呢？ 13 除了從天上降下來的人子[b]以外，沒有人到過天上。 14 摩西在曠野怎樣舉起銅蛇，人子也必照樣被舉起來， 15 叫一切信祂的人都得到永生。
16 「因為上帝愛世人，甚至將祂獨一的兒子賜給他們，叫一切信祂的人不致滅亡，反得永生。 17 上帝差祂的兒子到世上來，不是要定世人的罪，而是要藉著祂的兒子拯救世人。 18 信祂的人不會被定罪，不信的人已經被定罪，因為他們不信上帝獨一的兒子。 19 光來到世上，世人因為自己的行為邪惡而不愛光，反愛黑暗，這就是他們被定罪的原因。 20 作惡的人恨光，不肯接近光，恐怕他們的罪行暴露出來。 21 但遵行真理的人喜歡接近光，好顯明他所做的是靠上帝做的。」
施洗者約翰論耶穌
22 這事之後，耶穌和門徒前往猶太地區，在那裡住下來給人施洗。 23-24 那時約翰還沒有入獄，他在靠近撒冷的哀嫩也給人施洗。那裡水多，眾人都去受洗。 25 約翰的門徒和一個猶太人為了潔淨的禮儀爭辯起來， 26 於是門徒來見約翰，說：「老師，你看，以前在約旦河對岸和你在一起、你為祂做見證的那位在給人施洗，眾人都去祂那裡了！」
27 約翰回答說：「除非是從天上賞賜下來的，否則人什麼都得不到。 28 你們自己可以為我做見證，我說過我不是基督，我只是奉差在祂前面預備道路的。 29 娶新娘的是新郎，站在旁邊的朋友聽見新郎的聲音，就會歡喜快樂。因此，我現在也心滿意足了。 30 祂必興旺，我必衰微。
31 「從天上來的，超越一切；從地上來的，屬於地，他所談論的也不外乎地上的事。那來自天上、超越萬物的， 32 要把所見所聞講給人聽，只是沒有人接受祂的見證。 33 但已經接受祂見證的人證實了上帝是真實的。 34 上帝所差來的，說的是上帝的話，因為上帝將聖靈無限量地賜給祂。 35 父愛子，已把萬物交在祂手裡。 36 信子的人有永生；不信子的人得不到永生，上帝的烈怒常在他身上。」
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
